Howard Lake Fishing in Mendocino County, California

• Overview

  Mendocino County in California is where Howard Lake sits. The water sits 3,852 feet up. Surface area runs to about 23 acres — small enough to read in one session. Few waters listed in Mendocino County are bigger. You are 15 miles from Covelo. The nearest city of size is Chico, 62 miles away. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Howard Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Survey and observation records for Mendocino County include flathead grey mullet, rainbow trout and cabezon. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Read Howard Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give August about 61°F and March about 37°F. Conditions shift steadily rather than sharply. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Anyone fishing Howard Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. A campsite lies half a mile away for anyone staying over. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. The nearest alternative is Hammerhorn Lake, 4.7 miles out. Ask locally about Howard Lake if anything is unclear.